Europe faces imminent jet fuel crunch, IEA warns
Europe could exhaust its jet fuel reserves within six weeks if Gulf supply routes remain disrupted, the head of the International Energy Agency warned in an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday. The statement is among the most direct public warnings yet from a major energy institution about the near-term impact of the Iran crisis on European aviation.
The EU is now working on a jet fuel contingency plan, according to Reuters, as policymakers scramble to identify alternative supply sources or activate strategic reserves before shortfalls begin to bite. The precise scope and timeline of any EU intervention have not yet been disclosed.
Airlines have not waited for a supply crisis to materialise before passing costs to passengers. Jet fuel prices have doubled, according to NPR, prompting carriers to increase baggage fees and raise base fares. If physical shortages follow, flight cancellations could become unavoidable, the IEA chief indicated.
The six-week window leaves limited room for either a diplomatic resolution to the Gulf disruption or a full logistical pivot to alternative supply chains, both of which typically require more lead time than that.
